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Author Padma Venkatraman‘s most recent novel A Time to Dance was an Honour Winner in the 2015 South Asia Book Award and was chosen for inclusion in IBBY’s 2015 Selection of Outstanding Books for Young … Continue reading ... →

Screenwriter Steven Rowley (pictured, via) has landed a deal with Simon & Schuster for his novel Lily and the Octopus.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Rowley has been offered an advance worth nearly $1 million. Senior editor Karyn Marcus negotiated the deal with literary agent Rob Weisbach.

Here’s more from the article: “S&S got an early peek at the manuscript via a recommendation from freelance editor Molly Lindley, whom Rowley had hired to help him. The publisher then bought the book during a whirlwind exclusive 48-hour negotiation. Publishers don’t usually move that quickly, but everyone at S&S who read the manuscript responded to it so positively that an offer was made with unusual speed.”

Actor Kevin Costner has signed a book deal with Simon & Schuster’s Atria Books imprint for an adventure series. It begins with The Explorers Guild, Volume One: Passage to Shambhala in 2014. The book is aimed at a broad group of readers, ranging from “young adult to more mature mystery and adventure enthusiasts.”

Writer and art director Jon Baird (pictured, left) also worked on the project with Costner (middle), which will be illustrated by Rick Ross (middle). Rob Weisbach and Fonda Snyder at Rob Weisbach Creative Management negotiated the deal with publisher Judith Curr. Atria senior editor Sarah Durand and assistant editor Daniel Loedel will edit the book.

Here’s more from the release: “Behind the staid rooms of an old world gentlemen’s club operates a darker, more mysterious organization: The Explorers Guild, a clandestine group of adventurers who seek out the places where light gives way to shadow and reason is usurped by myth … Set against the backdrop of World War I, with Western Civilization spiraling into chaos, the first installment in The Explorers Guild series, A Passage to Shambhala, concerns the Guild’s quest to find Shambhala, the golden city of Buddhist myth. Each member is driven toward the City for a different reason: one believes that finding it will save his brother’s life; another hopes that it will reveal a path to spiritual enlightenment. Some believe the power of the city can be used to restore peace, while others are certain that Shambhala is responsible for bringing mankind to the brink of apocalypse.”

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World Trade Center attack survivor  Lauren Manning has landed a book deal with Henry Holt and Company to publish her memoir, Every Day, a Choice.

Here’s more about the book, from the release: “Ten years ago this September 11, Ms. Manning was headed to her office at Cantor Fitzgerald in Tower One of the World Trade Center. As she entered the lobby’s revolving doors the first plane hit the upper floors and a wall of fire exploded into the lobby and engulfed her body in flames, launching her into a wrenching battle with catastrophic injury. She would spend the next six weeks in an induced coma and endure countless surgeries and the rigors of physical rehabilitation. The pain lasted for months on end, as did the memories and scars – both physical and mental – of the day that recast her life, but not as a victim, as a survivor.”

Henry Holt publisher Stephen Rubin acquired the title and Rob Weisbach of Rob Weisbach Creative Management negotiated the deal. Macmillan editor at large John Sterling will edit the book. In 2002, her husband (Greg Manning) documented her recovery in the book, Love, Greg & Lauren.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.